The traffic officer, blinded after being shot by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010, was found hanged at his home in February 2012.

Last week an inquest heard police had been told of fears for his well-being more than two hours before he was discovered.

Eleven months ago we exposed the same details, along with ­comments from PC Rathband’s family, in an article headlined “What kept you? Fury at delay by Rathband suicide cops”.

Today we can reveal Northumbria police referred the story to the coroner in the case, Eric Armstrong, as an alleged ­contempt of court.

They claimed the story pre- decided a verdict of suicide and commented on matters yet to be determined by Mr Armstrong.

They alleged there was a ­“substantial risk that the ­interests of justice will be ­seriously impeded or prejudiced as a result” of the publication.

Contempt – a crime under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 – is punishable by up to two years in prison.

But Mr Armstrong, who we had spoken to before public-ation, contacted us after the police had been in touch with him and said he had no plans to take the matter further. Daily Star Sunday editor Peter ­ Carbery said last night: “We ­considered it in the public ­interest for these details to be put into the public domain.

“We ­considered it in the public ­interest for these details to be put into the public domain”

Peter ­ Carbery

“It’s unfortunate the police considered this to be in contempt of court and clearly we are thankful the coroner decided not to pursue action against us.”

Last week’s inquest heard that, on the night of his death, PC Rathband’s estranged wife Kath, 43, contacted his sister Debbie Essery to say she was worried about the 44-year-old’s welfare.

Mrs Essery sent a Facebook message to her brother’s former family liaison officer DC Alison Brown.